Thursday, September 12, 2013

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE MOB: THE STORY OF ONE MOBSTER


When I was in high school I took a sudden interest in all things mob related. I read book after book beginning with THE VALACHI PAPERS. For a while it held my interest culminating with finally seeing the film and reading the book THE GODFATHER. While that movie is still one of the best ever made, my interests have dwindled a bit. But when something comes along I still make a point of watching whether it's a TV documentary or something like this new DVD release.

This new DVD first appeared on The History Channel a while back. While it purports to be the definitive guide, it actually gives some of the basics as seen through the eyes of one man, Michael Franzese. The DVD tells the story of how he was the son of a man already involved with the Mafia and how he eventually approached his father about joining himself.

Franzese is a well dressed, successful looking man in the film. He presents himself well but as it progresses he makes it clear that men like him specialize in their appearance. In looking professional and respectful they are less likely to be thought of as anything but. It's only after they have you hooked in one scheme or another that you realize who you are dealing with.

His story spells out the ceremony that each person takes to become a full fledged member of the Mob. It's the same story we've heard before with holding the burning paper and swearing allegiance to the Mob with the penalty of death should you talk. This was in induction ceremony and now he must become a money earner for the organization.

Franzese discusses the set up of the Mob, how they have leaders and captains and low level members who all bring cash in and distribute it up the pipeline. If you're caught holding back or not paying your dues chances are you won't be in business or alive for long. Each person gets his cut and in return each member has various forms of protection or help passed along to them.

What Franzese did when he became a member was to find new ways for the Mob to make money. One scam he came up with brought in so much money that it rivaled all other forms. It also brought the attention of the FBI. Through various pieces of evidence they had a solid case against him and he plea bargained for a lesser sentence. Then he did something no one else had ever done: he walked away from the Mob.

To date no one before or since has walked away. Those that have passed along detailed information (which he refused to do) have either come up missing or found themselves in witness protection. Franzese chose not to become involved with the latter, taking his chances on the streets but making a point to be careful and not to return to his early stomping grounds. While he may give information here in this film it's nothing that isn't well known to begin with. Names that he names are those that are either dead or that have been written about before.

For someone wanting to know how the Mob works, the small details of how it operates and what is involved in being associated with them this is a nice introduction. You may see how wealthy being involved is but at the same time you find out just how bloodthirsty they can be. A simple mistake can cost you your life. Still photographs and news footage of various high level Mob bosses are seen throughout here.

Though the life of a Mob member appears glamorous at times the reality of staying one step ahead of the law while trying to watch your back with your cohorts would be something that I would think would make you steer clear of having ambitions to join. That along with the fact that you must be asked in should make it easy to avoid. In the end if you want a starting point to see what the Mob is all about this DVD is a good jumping point.

Click here to order.

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